Local author's Vietnam War book 'League of Wives' nabs attention from Hollywood

Roanoke author Heath Lee's new book comes out in April, and it is already attracting some A-list fans.

"The League of Wives" tells the true story of Vietnam War wives who fought to bring their husbands home. Some of the soldiers spent years in POW camps.

"The trauma is unbelievable. They couldn't stay down for long because they had a lot of work to do. But there were periods of just utter despair where they didn't know if they'd ever get these guys out," Lee said.

Lee spent hours interviewing prominent veterans including John McCain, Bob Dole and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Her work caught the attention of actress and fellow author Reese Witherspoon, who acquired the book for a movie adaptation.

"That was a dream come true, I mean who would not want to work with Reese Witherspoon," Lee said.

Lee said she knew from the beginning that the story had cinematic appeal.

"The women were not only fighting the North Vietnamese communists who were holding the men. They were fighting their own government for attention," Lee said.

All the attention on Lee's book is positive news for local bookstore owners.

"We're just so blessed with so much talent in this area, of not just regionally known people but nationally known people," Book No Further owner Doloris Vest said.

So how does the story end? You'll have to read it to find out.

The book is on pre-sale ahead of an April 2 release.

To find out more about Lee's book and keep up with her work,